Hard Winter
An MM Mountain Man Romance
by Jace Wilder
Pairing: MM
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Scorching
Tropes: Age Gap, Hurt/Comfort, Forced Proximity, Grumpy/Sunshine
A blizzard brought him to my door. A crash left him in my bed. Now, I have to figure out how to let him go when the snow clears.
CADE
I’ve spent twenty years alone on this mountain for a reason. My heart is a fortress, and I don’t let anyone in. Then I found Julian—half-frozen, beautiful, and broken—in a ditch during the worst storm of the decade.
I saved his life, but stripping him out of those wet clothes sparked a fire that threatens to burn my defenses to the ground.
JULIAN
I didn’t have a plan when I fled Seattle; I just drove until the road ran out. Waking up in the arms of a gruff, possessive rancher wasn’t on the itinerary, but Cade makes me feel safe for the first time in years.
We’re trapped by the snow, and the heat between us is melting the ice, but I know reality is waiting when the storm breaks.
You’ll love this if you enjoy:
✓ Grumpy mountain man meets sunshine runaway
✓ Significant age gap with protective hero
✓ Snowed-in cabin with one bed
✓ Hurt/comfort done right
✓ Touch-starved heroes finding warmth together
Hard Winter is a high-heat, age-gap, hurt/comfort MM romance featuring a grumpy rancher, a sunshine artist, and a snowed-in cabin that fits only one bed. Guaranteed HEA.
More Grumpy/Sunshine MM Romance
Love grumpy heroes melting for sunshine characters? Check out more from our catalog.
Iron Haven
Dad’s Best Friend • Age Gap
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The Mountain’s Keeper
Grumpy/Sunshine • Small Town
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Maple & Moth
Small Town • Willowbend #1
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hard Winter spicy?
Yes! Hard Winter is a high-heat MM romance with explicit content. Heat level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Scorching). Expect slow-burn tension as these two are trapped together, with the intimacy building alongside the emotional connection.
Is this a standalone?
Yes! Hard Winter is a complete standalone with no cliffhanger and a guaranteed happily ever after.
What tropes are in this book?
Hard Winter features: grumpy/sunshine, significant age gap, hurt/comfort, forced proximity (snowed-in cabin), one bed, touch-starved heroes, and a protective possessive mountain man. It’s cozy and scorching in equal measure.
Is there a happily ever after?
Always. Every Fractal Enigma book ends with a guaranteed HEA. No cliffhangers, no unresolved endings—just two characters who earn their happiness together.
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